N.J. high schools facing loss of teams, coaches as part of proposed budget cuts

Scott Lituchy/The Star-LedgerWidespread cuts in state aid to public schools would significantly alter the high school sports landscape in the state, as some schools would be forced to eliminate entire athletic teams.By Matthew Stanmyre and Jackie Friedman/Star-Ledger Staff

After weeks of deliberation, high schools across New Jersey stand to lose entire athletic teams, numerous coaches, and freshman and middle school programs, among a vast array of other cuts.

The widespread reductions, which would significantly alter the high school sports landscape in the state, are part of Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed state budget that slashes $820 million in state aid to public schools. Some school districts are set to lose 40, 50 even 100 percent of state-aid allotments.

Christie inherited an $11 billion deficit and is cutting spending at all levels of government, municipalities, public transportation and higher education to help the state rebound from financial turmoil.

High school athletics are among the many areas that have been asked to make changes.

“I’ve preached my whole life about the values of athletics,” Eastern High athletic director Phillip Smart said. “That they teach you life skills. That they give you the opportunity to be a part of a group. All those things we’ve been preaching and now we’re eliminating the opportunity for kids to have those types of experiences. It’s very difficult.”

The proposed school budgets at nearly 600 districts across the state will be voted on Tuesday. If the budgets are not passed, more cuts could loom.

The impact on athletic programs is wide-ranging. Roughly 257,000 athletes at 359 public high schools compete in athletics in the state.

Among the notable cuts being proposed:

Eastern Regional High, which stands to lose roughly $220,000 from its athletic budget, would lay off 15 assistant coaches and eliminate four athletic programs, including eight teams — boys and girls winter track, bowling, golf and swimming. The school would also cut an additional $20,000 in supplies.

Livingston High would lose all of its middle school programs, which help students make the athletic and social transitions to high school, the school’s athletic director said. Opportunities for those athletes will be limited to recreational programs or club teams.

Washington Township High in Gloucester County would eliminate freshman sports programs, which offer opportunities to roughly 500 athletes. Sixteen of the 19 high schools in its conference will retain freshman sports, the school’s athletic director said.

The entire Colonial Conference, which includes 12 schools from Camden and Gloucester Counties, would cut all freshman sports teams.

At least seven schools would eliminate its athletic trainers, while nearly 20 other athletic trainers would be given additional job responsibilities, having their pay cut to part-time or be told they could still be on the chopping block.

Other popular reduction methods include the implementation of pay-to-play programs — which range from $50 to $150 per athlete — shaving non-conference games or tournaments from schedules and cutting back on supplies such as new uniforms or postseason awards.

“Towns are squeezing every dollar they can,” said William Dressel, the executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities. “Recreational costs are on the chopping block, as well as almost every public service you can think of. Everything is being critically evaluated.”

Approximately 25 percent of 100 randomly selected school districts are not facing athletic cuts, according to school websites. Newark Public Schools will not make any major athletic cuts, nor will districts from West Essex, Summit, Ocean Township and Parsippany, among others.

“We’re fortunate that this year we were able to spare certain areas,” said Valerie Merritt, director of communications for Newark Public Schools. “We’re happy we can maintain our athletic programs.”

For schools facing program eliminations, several ideas have been suggested for coping. Some schools plan to expand their rosters to include more athletes. Others suggest coaches may decide to share their salaries or stipends to keep on other assistant coaches facing layoffs.

Many districts that eliminated middle school and freshman programs said it was an appealing option because their towns have healthy recreation programs in which athletes can participate.

Some parents don’t think that’s enough.

“This is the age they go the wrong direction,” said Lisa DeLeo, whose daughter plays softball at Woodbridge, which is cutting its middle school and freshman programs. “Sports give them an outlet to bond after school, to not be alone, getting in trouble or messing around with the internet. They’d be laying around, and they’re already saying in the news how there are problems with kids being overweight.

“We understand cuts. We all understand budgets because we all live on budgets in our homes.”

Athletic directors share the parents’ anxiety over how the loss of athletics could stunt the development of players and programs down the road.

“The ripple effect,” said Kevin Murphy, the athletic director at Washington Township in Gloucester County, “is going to be a great detriment to slowing the growth and development of so many kids in our community.”